The 5 Best Android Smartphones [December, 2011]

It has been awhile since we took at look at the cream of the crop in terms of Android smartphones but we felt that it was appropriate to return to our roots now that the market is completely flooded with all sorts of devices running Google’s software.

We can’t remember a time when there were this many quality devices on the market and while that’s exciting, it’s also troublesome for those looking to get a phone for themselves or for a loved one.

Remember, the holiday season is in full swing.

Well, we want to make it easier for all of you so we’re back with a look at what we think are the five best Android smartphones for the month of December.

HTC Rezound

I will be passing on the HTC Rezound but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should. The Rezound is HTC’s follow-up to its first 4G LTE smartphone for Verizon, the HTC ThunderBolt, and it’s the company’s first device in the United States that features Beats Audio. In fact, it even comes with a pair of Beats headphones.

High-resolution display, speedy processor, 4G LTE speeds and tons of storage space make this an extremely attractive option for those that are just transitioning to Android or want to throw their ThunderBolt in the garbage.

And yes, it will be getting the upgrade to Android 4.0 in the early part of next year.

Motorola Droid RAZR

Remember the Motorola Droid Bionic, you know, Moto’s first 4G LTE smartphone on Verizon? No? Turns out, neither do Motorola and Verizon because a month after its release they unveiled the Motorola Droid RAZR, a device that wipes the floor with the Bionic.

Somehow, Moto managed to fit a large battery, an improved display, a dual-core processor, and more inside of a teeny tiny design and the pay off is a fantastic device that we absolutely loved.

Samsung Epic 4G Touch

Our Chuong Nguyen called the Samsung Epic 4G Touch one of the best smartphone’s on the market back when he reviewed it in September and even now, in November, it’s hard to dispute that.

The Epic 4G Touch, which is Sprint’s Galaxy S II, has just about everything you want from a smartphone. Gorgeous display, a processor that can handle whatever you throw at it, tons of RAM, two great cameras, and a large battery.

Oh, and it has WiMax 4G speeds to boot.

It’s sort of a toss up between HTC’s EVO 3D and Motorola’s Photon 4G but I think that, after using all three, the Galaxy S II takes the cake.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

What can I say about this device? It’s the first device with Android 4.0. It’s a Nexus device which means that it doesn’t have a custom UI over Android and it will get its updates before any other phone. It has a bevy of impressive hardware specifications. It has NFC. It will have LTE when it lands for Verizon.

This is probably the phone that you want to get, if you’re looking for an Android device.

There is a reason The Verge called it one of the best smartphones ever made and quite possibly, the best smartphone ever made.

Samsung Galaxy S II – T-Mobile

If you’re looking for a fantastic smartphone that is backed by an extremely quick network that isn’t Verizon or AT&T’s 4G LTE network, look no further then T-Mobile’s Galaxy S II which runs on the carrier’s HSPA+ 42Mbps network.

T-Mobile’s Galaxy S II has an enormous display, a quick processor, tons of RAM, a big battery, and two capable cameras.

Nexus Prime is Also called “Galaxy Nexus”. Which Means it’s a better phone that The Nexus S and all of the Samsung Galaxy series. It is made by Samsung also which makes it an equal comparison. BTW I’m using Samsung “Galaxy Note”. Which has a Better Processor Faster Data Speed Better Internal Storage Better GPS Better Camera Better Display Better Weight MicroSD slot and TV Out FM Radio Gorilla Glass.

I’d root for the Galaxy Note. I know it’s big, but its specs do read like a best of of current specs: CPU, GPU, Screen, Battery, Pen, RAM… If the size is OK with you, that thing screams ! And it’s even relatively inexpensive, thanks to its status as “not-a-hero-phone, but an trial run”. Got it for 500€, which is remarkably cheap, I was expecting 750, and fully ready to shell that out.

Really?! Tell me what makes the galaxy nexus or the s2 better than the htc rezound! The ONLY advantage the nexus has is ics out-of-the-box, which doesnt mean much to me considering the rezound will ALSO have it soon. And as far as the s2, it has the same specs as the rezound EXCEPT enhanced audio AND a 720p hd display!